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Chatterbox Spring 2020

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:22 AM

rvos1979

That would explain why the electronic logs in the truck have been acting a little screwy lately, it uses GPS for location.........

Don't think the Light Squared fiasco has been implemented yet, GPS acting screwy more likely due to other interference such as a driver with a GPS jammer. Geomagnetic storms can also wreck havoc on the GPS signal.

OTOH, most cell towers use GPS to provide time and frequency reference (21st Century WWV), so they may end up interfering with their own equipment. GPS is a pretty weak signal, with the raw signal below the noise, the "de-spreading" in reception pulls it out of the muck.

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Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:32 AM

Carl, that is very good news. Take care!

Murphy, thanks. I'm trying my best and am putting in as much effort as I am able. Fortunately I had planned to finish my thesis early, so I have more time now.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:57 PM

Thanks for the well-wishes, Colin and everyone!  We only have 13.5 days to go in our 14-day quarantine.  Sunny-looking days (with no indication of actual temperature) don't make this any easier for us to stay in.

I had to get out yesterday and drive to Naperville to bring Pat home (I don't know what they would have done if I'd still been in the hospital myself!).  It wasn't any problem for me, but might have been for anyone who knew what was happening.  I was masked, and never got out of the car at the hospital.

On the way home, though, we stopped at Lilacia Park to see the new memorial paver brick that had been placed there in daughter Linda's honor.  Again, we were masked, and nobody came close to us.

You can do it, Colin!

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 1:54 PM

Murphy Siding
You'll do fine. I graduated from college in May 1981, just as the country entered a real ugly recession.

I got out of college during President G. W. Bush's recession.  Not a huge recession, but also not the ideal time to go to grad school in order to get a gov't job (who were furloughing and not hiring).  Ended up with the railroad and a fulfilling, fun career job.

Oh well. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 3:36 PM

afternoon

Well the Ns coal train got moved today.Seems they had to make a delivery in another track off the siding at work.One of the locomotives was having mechanical issues. so they got some extra power to help.Chores to do here.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 4:24 PM

evening

Ns sent a power move eastbound today after work.Came home and mowed the swamp.Chores to do inside.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 5:54 PM

Haven't gotten the mower out yet.  We're still seeing freezing overnight (possible +20F tonight).  The lawn's not too shaggy just yet...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 8:28 PM

Next time will be 3rd time in mowing the front yard - starter solenoid gave up the ghose on the 2nd cutting - had to jump it.  In getting the replacement solenoid, found out the hard way, there are two types of solenoids self grounding and those that require a ground be provided to one of the signalling terminals.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 8:31 PM

Got a 'fro or just noise/smell/smoke....?

No mowing here, but it has finally turned green (10-14 days out?)

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 8:35 PM

mudchicken
Got a 'fro or just noise/smell/smoke....?

No mowing here, but it has finally turned green (10-14 days out?)

Got a 'thunk' when the soleniod was activated, but no juice to the starter motor - guess a internal contact gave up the ghost - the mower is only 24 years old.  The old solenoid was self grounding, the new one wasn't.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 9:16 PM

Our lawn has the spring shaggies; the mower has to find a good dry day to attempt to do it.  But the mower just doesn't have the oomph right now.  We'll see what he thinks tomorrow, after we return from our post-hospitalization checkups.  

Also, "he" is "me."

Carl

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CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, April 23, 2020 8:18 AM

Oh, you poor men--still shackeled to lawn care!Smile

My first grass cutting was done with what some called a "sling blade;" then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned; in college, I pushed one with a gasoline engine on it; eventually I bought a mower which pulled itself along.

Johnny

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Thursday, April 23, 2020 9:42 AM

Deggesty
Oh, you poor men--still shackeled to lawn care!SmileMy first grass cutting was done with what some called a "sling blade;" then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned; in college, I pushed one with a gasoline engine on it; eventually I bought a mower which pulled itself along.

Like you, I started in the 40's pushing my dad's push mower on our yard. Then after I got my first house in '65, I bought a Craftsman gas mower. Now, I am in a homeowners association and this morning, I awoke to the sound of their power mowers cutting our grass. 

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Posted by diningcar on Thursday, April 23, 2020 9:47 AM

Had all of them; then retired to AZ in a home with native growings, no grass. Now because of need to be near family I live in a Homeowners Assn. where it is cut by a contractor. 

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 23, 2020 12:03 PM

diningcar

Had all of them; then retired to AZ in a home with native growings, no grass. Now because of need to be near family I live in a Homeowners Assn. where it is cut by a contractor. 

I bought a zero-turn mower.  Absolutely overkill for my yard, but I tired of pushing that 20 inch mower around.  Not getting any younger, you know.  Turn the key and away I go...

I do the yard behind the fire station, too...

My brother-in-law has so much greenery in his yard in Phoenix, AZ that the city comes out periodically to do a census.  Seems the sewer bill is based on the water bill, and he gets credit on the sewer bill for the trees, bushes, and lawn.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Paul of Covington on Thursday, April 23, 2020 4:08 PM

Deggesty
then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned

   My older sister who is 81 years old has been a health food nut most of her adult life, and she is so full of energy nobody can keep up with her.  She mows her lawn with that type of mower.

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, April 23, 2020 5:28 PM

Hi

Ns was clear after work today.Ran errands in town.Csx dropped plenty of more cars for scrapping at omni.We had a few sprinkles this afternoon.Tomorrow is Friday.Matt is making supper for us tomorrow night.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, April 23, 2020 5:51 PM

Paul of Covington
 
Deggesty
then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned 

   My older sister who is 81 years old has been a health food nut most of her adult life, and she is so full of energy nobody can keep up with her.  She mows her lawn with that type of mower.

My father, when I was a kid, upgraded from a powered reel mower to a rotary mower and shortly thereafter he managed to remove his big toe and the top of his second toe with the rotary.

Over the years I have had various hand pushed rotary mowers and riding mowers.  When I moved to my present place in Maryland, I bought a 22" hand pushed rotary mower.  Later on when my son was old enough to drive he 'inherited' grass cutting while I was in Florida.  With my Ex exing another individual and moving from a acre property to a duplex townhouse, my son brought over the riding mower from the acre property and took the 22" mower to his mothers duplex.  I have had the rider ever since - it is now 24 years old.

Currently getting grass growing fluid from the sky - next Tuesday & Wednesday are SUPPOSED to have less that 20% chance of rain.  Was supposed to race in the neighborhood this weekend - I guess Covid-19 is saving me from a bad weather racing experience.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 23, 2020 6:32 PM

BaltACD
My father, when I was a kid, upgraded from a powered reel mower to a rotary mower and shortly thereafter he managed to remove his big toe and the top of his second toe with the rotary.

One of my "ride along" responses early in my EMT training was to a patient who had done the same thing - I think he was pulling the mower backward.

It's tough finding a piece of toe in the grass...

We had a neighbor in MI who had a powered reel mower.  

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, April 24, 2020 10:16 AM

Power reel mowers were not that unusual.  Some of the neighbors had them and Dad's first power mower was a reel mower.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, April 24, 2020 10:55 AM

My grandfather had a powered reel mower.  The power was electricity, and it contained a cord (self-retracting) that was long enough to reach anywhere in their fairly sizable yard.  At my age, I wasn't allowed to go anywhere near the thing.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, April 24, 2020 3:02 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.Heard csx is pulling up every other yard track in Defiance's yard.They just come and switch and go back to Garrett.They have also had more cars for Omni to scrap.Matt is making supper tonight.Mamma says she is just going to watch.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 24, 2020 3:06 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

Power reel mowers were not that unusual.  Some of the neighbors had them and Dad's first power mower was a reel mower.

This particular couple was quite the pair of gardeners - many gardens, lots of flowers.  I do recall, though, that their grass would have made a putting green look shaggy.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Saturday, April 25, 2020 5:27 PM

JoeKoh
Matt is making supper tonight.Mamma says she is just going to watch.

What is he serving?

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, April 26, 2020 6:56 AM

Morning

Watched Csx yesterday.Seems they have tagged q 160's containers to ride along with q 010's UPS and Fed x trailers.508 and 509 have containers from the 150/151 run from North Baltimore to Detroit.Contractors have started tearing out the rails behind GM where the foundry section was. Might go to Fc today.Mother nature sent us some rain overnight.Going to send us some NW wind to dry off.Matt made some stir fry for supper.No problem with leftovers it was good.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 26, 2020 7:00 AM

Gorgeous day yesterday, rain today.  Must be spring.  I did get the lawn mowed.

Still turning out "ear savers" on the 3D printer.  The "maker" community started making them for the medical community, but with everyone wearing masks now, they're quite popular everywhere.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:54 AM

Didn't know what an "ear saver" was until I looked it up:

https://www.fox29.com/news/fishtown-man-makes-ear-savers-to-relieve-irritation-from-surgical-mask

I need to have my wife make one of those!

- PDN. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 26, 2020 12:01 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

Didn't know what an "ear saver" was until I looked it up:

https://www.fox29.com/news/fishtown-man-makes-ear-savers-to-relieve-irritation-from-surgical-mask

I need to have my wife make one of those!

- PDN. 

I've seen pictures of people using action figures (with suitable hands) as well as those S shaped monkeys for the same purpose, and headbands with buttons added.

If you know someone with a 3D printer, the files are available.  I do two different styles, and have one file set up with four of the bands, and one with five.  Once they start, they take about 4 hours, but I can walk away from the printer with no problem while it works.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, April 26, 2020 12:46 PM

Murphy Siding
Paul_D_North_Jr

Pennsylvania Governor Wolf concluded his speech tonight with this line: "By doing nothin' [sic], we are doing something truly extraordinary, and for that I thank you."  A tip of the hat to anyone who can recognize the origins of that line. 

 

Hmmm. Something in my brain is thinking of Johnny Carson on his farewell episode, but then Winston Churchill keeps popping in. Hmmm.

From the 2004 movie Napoleon Dynamite (set in Preston, Idaho - you might recognize the territory, Murphy): 

Uncle Rico : Why don't you sell some to your girlfriend. Might as well do somethin' while you're doing nothin'.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/characters/nm1088052 

 

- PDN. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:58 PM

Reel mower story.  My father had a push reel mower that we used.  He decided to convert the mower to a powered reel mower.  Putting all the parts together took part of the winter.  The first mow of the season things did not go well.  The blade would  turn but the mower would not go forward.  Finally realized that the pawls that allow a person mowing to pull the mower back and engage the blade when pushing forward had to be turned. Also had to switch the 2 wheels..  Simple fix and mower worked for  years until finally broke beyond repair. 

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